Point guard picks Hawaii

Todd Lowenthal averaged 21 points as a senior at Poway High

Despite suffering a close defeat in its home finale, the Hawaii basketball team's setback on senior night may not have been a complete loss.

Although the Rainbow Warriors fell to Louisiana Tech, the festive postgame atmosphere left an impression on Todd Lowenthal, who was in town for his recruiting visit.

"It was senior night, so that was pretty cool," said Lowenthal, a senior point guard at Poway High School north of San Diego. "It was cool to see the fans come out, it was pretty impressive."

After witnessing UH's senior sendoff, Lowenthal is planning to embark on his college career in the islands.

Lowenthal said he informed UH coaches of his decision to commit to the Rainbows on Sunday. He can make the commitment official by submitting a national letter of intent to the school next month. The late signing period for basketball opens on April 12 and runs through May 17.

"When I took my trip out there, the coaching staff was great, the players were great. I really loved the campus and just the surroundings," Lowenthal said.

Poway coach Aaron Little said Lowenthal (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) can orchestrate from the point, and was called upon to be a scorer for the Titans this season. Lowenthal averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and 6.3 assists in his senior season at Poway.

Along with his exploits on the court, Lowenthal carries a 4.03 grade-point average and is taking advanced placement courses in biology and calculus.

"Todd is the full package," Little said.

Lowenthal initially committed to UC San Diego last year, but later opted to expand his search. He said he also considered St. John's, Tulsa, Pacific and Idaho and applied at Stanford, but decided to commit to UH.

"I just wanted to get out of the area and try something different," he said.

"It's been exciting all the way through, but now that I'm done and I'm situated I definitely look forward to getting out there and taking the next step going to college."

The Rainbows signed forward Alex Veit in the fall and Lowenthal's addition would give the Rainbows, who went 17-11 this season, greater depth in the backcourt. The 'Bows lose senior Deonte Tatum, who started every game and led the team in assists. Freshman Hiram Thompson is planning to go on a two-year Mormon mission this summer.